News Release

Lions, LCIF Providing Relief in New Zealand

(Updated March 8, 2011)

Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation are providing relief following a devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. LCIF has awarded US$110,000 to aid Lions in their relief efforts. US$10,000 is being used for immediate emergency relief supplies and a US$100,000 major catastrophe grant will assist with longer-term efforts.

"Right now Margit and I are in Christchurch, New Zealand, to meet with Lions and view their current relief efforts. I have been sharing with them the e-mails I've received from Lions around the world who are pledging their support, expressing their sympathies and thanking Lions in New Zealand for their efforts," said Chairperson Eberhard J. Wirfs.

Chairperson Wirfs also met with the Chief Executive and President of Red Cross New Zealand Penny Mason. "We needed help and knew of Lions work. We called and they responded immediately," she said.

Many Lions have personally been impacted by the disaster, yet they are
giving their time and service to help their neighbors. "At an emergency
meeting of the Earthquake Committee last night, I spoke to one Lion who
had damage to his house, his place of work was closed, he had no power,
water or sewerage connections yet was still attending a Lions meeting
to see how he could assist the citizens of Christchurch," said Past
International Director Ron Luxton.

On February 22, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, killing at least 149 and injuring hundreds more, with these numbers expected to increase. Thousands have been left homeless. Clean drinking water has been compromised and more than 60 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is committed to aiding communities
affected by natural disasters. LCIF is in close communication with the
Lions of District 202-E. Local Lions responded immediately to this crisis by securing and distributing large supplies of bottled water throughout Christchurch and the surrounding suburbs. District Governor Raewyn Clearwater indicated that, “the people were so grateful to the Lions for the water, that many of the residents wanted to help pay for the costs … [they] were so moved that, although affected themselves, Lions were helping out the people of the city.”

In the past week Lions services include:

Building a data base of 100+ volunteers to assist with “Operation Suburb” in Christchurch

Going door to door in the suburbs with the Red Cross to assess needs and provide urgent medical and emotional assistance

Providing grocery and fuel vouchers to families in need as well as food, bedding and water

Volunteering at welfare centres in Christchurch and Timaru

Creating "Adopt-a-Lion" program to call and visit Lions and community members in need

Raising $34,000 during a weekend fundraiser

Delivering meals through a food caravan in Christchurch and donating food for cooking

Lions from neighboring areas traveling to Christchurch to assist in relief projects, such as door-to-door outreach, delivering food and helping with clean-up

Lions in neighboring towns are organizing dinners for displaced families and housing for Lions in need

Staffing two daily shifts of 12 hours each at the national Red Cross office in Wellington

Delivering a 40,000 litre tanker of fresh water to the suburbs of Christchurch

Providing weekend breaks to families to escape from the city for two days

Lions and donor can help support Lions in New Zealand in their relief efforts by making a dedicated donation to the “New Zealand Earthquake 2011” fund. The 48th OSEAL Forum Commihas has donated US$10,000 to help these relief efforts, and Multiple District 330, Japan, has donated US$15,686.

Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Fax the following information to LCIF: name, address, phone number, credit card type, credit card number, expiration date, and the amount of your donation. If you are a Lions member, please provide the name of your club, as well. LCIF's fax number is (630) 571-5735.

For questions regarding donations, please contact LCIF at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org or (630) 203-3836. Board policy states that designated funds are not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship credit. Donors wishing to receive Melvin Jones Fellowship credit may instead wish to consider making a donation to the LCIF general fund. Un-designated donations for MJFs and PMJFs make up as much as 80 percent of the donations to the Foundation's General Fund, which supports Standard Grants, Emergency Grants and Major Catastrophe Grants.

Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible. Donations from individuals living outside of the United States are tax deductible as permitted by the individual's country tax laws.

Although LCIF is not equipped to handle material donations, please feel
free to use the Lion-2-Lion Resource Assistance Database (Lion-2-Lion
Assistance) to make donations of this sort directly to the Lions in
need.

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Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with 1.35 million members in 207 geographic areas and countries. Annually, LCIF awards approximately US$2 million in emergency grant funding, in addition to additional grant funding for major catastrophes. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Learn more about LCIF online at www.lcif.org.